Jun 12, 2024

What causes inflation? Economists and the public disagree

Tim Graham/Getty Images

Much of the public think interest rate hikes lead to higher prices — contrary to economic orthodoxy.

Segments From this episode

What do people think causes inflation?

by Daniel Ackerman

Jun 12, 2024

A survey reveals the general public doesn't always agree with economists on what causes higher prices.

"People have a very valid lived experience that just sometimes doesn't align with our official statistics," said Harvard economist Stefanie Stantcheva.

Kena Betancur/Getty Images

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How the Federal Reserve's inflation fight today compares with the '70s and '80s

by Sabri Ben-Achour , Nancy Marshall-Genzer and Ariana Rosas

Jun 12, 2024

Decades ago, the Fed was battling double-digit inflation, and Chair Paul Volcker took aggressive action that drove interest rates way up.

As Fed chair, Paul Volcker aggressively fought raging inflation, driving interest rates far higher than they are today. Above, Volcker in 2005.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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The team

David Brancaccio Host

Leanna Byrne Host, BBC

Kelly Silvera Executive Producer

Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer

Alex Schroeder Producer

Erika Soderstrom Producer

Ariana Rosas Producer

Nic Perez Director/Producer

Dylan Miettinen Digital Producer

John Bruington Media Producer

Jesson Duller Media Producer

Brian Allison Technical Director

James Graham Producer, BBC

Jo Critcher Producer, BBC

Naomi Rainey Producer, BBC

Lis Mahy Producer, BBC

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